Mother Looking for Help

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My 11 year old son was recently diagnosed with AS by a psychologists who referred my to a psychiatrist to help him to deal with issues. Within 10 minutes of being in this doctor's office he totally dismissed the report and is set on the idea that my son is Bipolar! He has NONE of the symptoms of bipolar and the questions he asked could have applied to a range of disabilities. Is it common for doctors to not want to discuss AS or to try to label patients with another label. Also, does anyone know of councelors in Louisiana who can deal with children with AS?

I don't know about in Louisiana, as I live in the UK, but that doesn't sound right to me, especially after 10 minutes. You should probably try and see a different psychiatrist for a second opinion.

I'm afraid I can't be of much help to you in finding a specialist in Louisiana, but my advice to you is to request a copy of his report, and make him clearly outline his reasoning behind the bipolar diagnosis. I had a therapist label me that and this is what I wish I had done, because I still to this day have no idea why. They prescribed me a-typical antipsychotics which made me sick as hell.

Also, here's a website that might help

http://www.udel.edu/bkirby/asperger/

look under Clinicians.

I have heard stories like this before, but not just about AS. People with one disorder or diagnosis being told there is something else with another doctor. Call the original doctor and let him know, and see if you can get a 3rd opinion, maybe one thru the school system if they are dependable.

Bipolar is one of the more common things that they try to diagnose people with AS with, either by mistake or instead of AS. ADD is another common one.

Psychiatrists like to diagnose things that they can treat. They can prescribe medications for bipolar and ADD. It's a lot harder to prescribe medications for AS because there is no standard approach and it can't be "cured" with meds. All they can do is prescribe meds that can help with some symptoms and other things that result from the AS (anxiety, depression, etc). But lots of psychiatrists don't want to deal with a hard case. They just want a simple diagnosis that they can just write a prescription for without putting any thought into it.

I would get a second opinion definitely. Don't know about the states, but in the UK there is surprising lack of knowledge by some doctors. It really depends what type of psychiatrist you saw. Want I find interesting is a trend in the states of diagnosing young kids with Bi-Polar. This was in a BBC documentary about the disease with Stephen Fry. Controversially some where trying to push to allow toddlers to be diagnosed. I think this is ridiculous because there is a lot going on at that age. I would say it is questionable if you should diagnose an 11 year old with bi polar. I'm not sure what the minimum age is in the UK but I probably is greater 11 though you probably could diagnose clinical depression and anxiety.

I worry about 10 minute diagnosis. That's why I think psychologists are often better equipped to deal with PDDs. I would try and find a centre that specialised in autism.


Clinicians who are interested in a particular disorder like to think there are x in 10 people with that disorder. So they tend to see the traits they want. Also it is possible to be both Bi-Polar and AS.

Councelling was a large help for me, I live in Illinois however, so I can't suggest anybody.
I doubt your kid has Bipolar, especially when a doctor TRAINED specificially for stuff like this.
I think your doctor just doesn't beleive in asperger's or doesn't know what it is.
I also noticed that this is your first post, welcome to WP!

I would be very skeptical. It took us years to be able to describe the traits my son has that make him different and it would be impossible to make such a diagnosis so quickly. Two different psychiatrists diagnosed my son with multiple disorders (there is so much overlap that some of this is understandable) over a number of years before we were able to pinpoint Aspergers through research. It does sort of put them out of a job. There are very few medications that have proven helpful with Asperger's. We tried many along the way as we got each different diagnosis. We saw very little, if any, change which is somewhat self diagnosing in itself.

I think finding a way to work with them on behavioral skills and a lot of patience has been the best medicine. Research any diagnosis you are given thoroughly. If the shoe doesn't fit, tell the doctor so.

I have read post after post after post from people who have seen psychiatrists and it's the same story. I can't emphasize enough that you need to see either a developmental psychiatrist (I doubt this psych was this specialty) or go to an Autism clinic.
Do not give your son any drugs until you are sure that you can trust the diagnosis. I'm serious. A shrink will want to dope your child and dismiss him. Don't let that happen.

sounds to me like this guy might one of those professionals who do not truly believe in AS as a dx???? There are some docs out there like that

You have the right and responsibility as a parent to do whatever you feel is in the best interests for your child. Do not let others dictate your abilities to support your child. Get another opinion. See the Autism Support Groups in your area and get a recommended specialist's name.